Manchester United banter 81780

01 Mar 2019 12:09:28
So the form guide puts us pretty much top of the pack, and that is without any signings or squad improvement. This side has talent, there are clear gaps in the squad but the thing that was missing was work rate and intensity. That is what Ole has brought in along with a shift in attempting to play in a more offensive way.

There is a long way to go between now and the summer, but presently it would take a brave man to bet against Ole getting the job.
So if he does get the job what next?

many people are starting to talk of revolutions, of mass squad change, 10-12 out and 5-6 in with 4 or 5 youngsters being promoted to take up the other spots.

To an extent I can agree with the assessment that the 10-12 players often mentioned probably don't have a long term future or certainly not one as a first team regular. But will we really see all those players moved on in one window?

Since Sir Alex retired we have seen mistake after mistake, Moyes ripping out the backroom staff, Ed Woodward's "no major retooling", LvG and his philosophy, and Mourinho and his constant digs and general sulky demeanour. However, one thing often missed is the huge turn over of players, where are the Di Maria's, Falcao's, Schweinsteiger's, Depay's and Blind's that were brought in? Plus the countless others, while steady yet unspectacular players where shipped out, Evans, Chicharito and Fletcher.

I agree that we had an ageing squad when Sir Alex retired, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Giggs and RvP were regular key players. A new freshness needed to be injected. Yet many would now agree that the heart and soul was ripped out of the club and we suffered for it.

Ole has just started to put that back in place. If given the job in the summer will he really want to rip apart the squad that helped him secure the job? If someone else comes in will they really want to sell 10 players before working closely with them to get a better idea of whether they could do a job for them?

Both cases I feel it is unlikely. I would say the best way forward for our club is evolution rather than revolution.

Really how many of the players have let Ole down? I would say Rojo and Darmian are likely to leave, one hasn't really had a chance while the other can never get fit. Valencia is another who will likely leave, as is Andreas Pereira who needs playing time in a less demanding league. Sanchez is one who probably needs to move on, however with his wages that might not be possible.

I think we are more likely to see 3 maybe 4 at most come in during the summer. A RB, a CB and CM. Possibly a winger if we can move Sanchez on. If not then he will remain and it will be up to one of Chong or Gomes to displace him.

That is why we are seeing the club give out a raft of new contracts, even to those players we don't agree with. let's learn from the mistakes of our recent past, it might take a season or two longer, yet the longest lasting building are those built on solid foundations.

01 Mar 2019 13:43:45
I posted but it went to the others page. Based on Ole’s tenure our points per game is as good as Liverpool and City, if we win on Saturday it will be better. That’s over a third of a season, I suspect to maintain that we need greater depth and we have seen that with Spurs, they didn’t buy in the Summer and it seems they are running into a bit of trouble as the season progresses.

We have a lot of players who don’t really feature and we have a few youngsters we need to integrate, I think 3 top signings is enough for us to improve but retain the heart and soul you have mentioned Shappy' assuming the youngsters continue to progress. Look how well Sancho is doing, albeit he had to leave City, The Chelsea fans want to see Hudson-Odoi given a run. We are a club who have never been afraid to give youth a chance, I think with where we are 3 top signings and 3 or 4 promotions allows us to take a big step forward.

01 Mar 2019 13:48:52
Problem is 4 players coming in for the starting 11 would cost over £200 Million if you average that out at £50 Million for a player of that calibre.
For example, I'd be happy with:
CB - Kouilbaly or Skriniar
RB - Doherty
CM - Rice
RF - Leon Bailey or Federico Chiesa

But how much would this set us back and 3 of the 4 positions are not big name players in those positions.

01 Mar 2019 17:34:18
I think realistically we see Darmian, Valencia, Rojo and Pereira leave. The others will very likely stay, and to be honest we need a big squad.

I think a right back, centre half, central midfielder and a versatile forward will be the targets.

Likely to be Koulibaly for the centre back place, a right back hasn’t been linked but I’m sure one is lined up. Versatile forward could be Costa unless we look within the league to someone like Brooks. Central midfield links have also been quiet.

01 Mar 2019 20:30:35
The £200M transfer fees for 4 players is not really the issue. This can be financed and paid over a few years.
The problem are the wages in relation to FIFA fair play rules.
Thus we need to get rid of Valencia, Rojo, Darmian, Mata and Sánchez etc in order to allow room for wages for the new signings.

{Ed002's Note - Not entirely, it is not as simple as that. The club can only account for players one way (cash now) or another (spread over the length of the contract). They cannot chop and change how it is done between players, and the must stay within FFP - and that is a big issue. For fear of confusion I won’t go in to detail - but it is the wages that are an issue for MU. The issue was resolved with HM and ZI leaving last year and then back with AS arriving. To fix it, the club need to sell and replace in addition to the minor increase that is allowed as you infer. MU are not the only side maxed out on wages. But don’t lose sight of how costa are accounted for for purchases and sales. This is going to bite another EPL side on the ass next season where they need to make a downward adjustment.}